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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Archon Basileus" data-source="post: 7280971" data-attributes="member: 6855545">HAGADARKFor those that stayed behind, it was evident that Tugg didn't seem normal. Mhuagra chose not to give any explanations for the time being, relying on the hunters - and above all on Klutha - to hide the happenstances that led to his possession. Cautiously, the hunters conceal the totem, speaking in place of Tugg-Mhuagra and distracting the others with the promises of reward. This alone allows Hagadark to leave his brethren for a moment, as he moves on, along with the others, to meet Dram. As he departs, a moot forms within the Dead Halfman, the heart of orc festivities within Dram's hold. Around the arrivals, there are ostly children and elders, greenskins and the half-breeds that joined orc ranks by merit. Nihlatak, elder seer of the human clan that merged with Hagadark's warriors, observes patiently, his retinue of warriors probably marching alongside the others at the hills. One of the hunters begins to tell the tale of the trip, highlighting the battle against the Wyvern, but slyly omitting the giantess episode. Everything seems to be under control - at least, for now.During their brief and indirect relationship, Hagadark and Dram never saw a hint of hierarchy between them. At some point, the half-orc suspected Dram feared the greenskins, never appearing before them out of pure dread. Time showed otherwise, though. the alchemist's calculated mind keeps him busy most of the time. And even though this is the first time they meet eye-to-eye, he knows these pleasantries are only a means to an end. Hagadark can practically smell the elixirs running through his blood right now, forcing his sullen face towards a fraternal expression and his brains into an overload of thoughts. "Shaman..." - he says, in a very direct, inflexible tone - "You have kept your end of the bargain, as I knew you would. I thank you for that." - he pulls a bag of coins straight from his pouch, placing it over the table and bending his head in thanks, as an orc would do. He knows how orc traditions go: always keep your word and never leave an ally waiting. "As time allows, we should discuss our common interests. I'm sure we can find more to aid you and your blood within my laboratory."- he clasps his hands together, turning towards the others.EVERYONE"And here we have a monk from the Temple of the Dragon, a mountaineer, clearly... And our ladies are... of intriguing origins, for sure!" - he glances at Shayuri and Arvana, choosing his next few words. Finally, she selects Arvana first, with a sly glance."My lady, I humbly ask of you to show us your face. We are to be allies, after all." - he awaits for her reaction, and her refusal strikes him with no surprises. "You must've suffered  indeed through the desert, my lady. I'll make sure you have a place to refresh yourself as soon as we are done." - for some reason, he treats her as if she addressed nobility. Arvana seems surprised and annoyed at his words, but answers nothing.MORGRYM"I am surprised to see a mountaineer under the service of maranans. Don't tell me, you ended up working with the Ironsight by accident, didn't you? Lots of accidents such as this, when that accursed dagger is involved." - he hints disdain for the blade, but who's to say? At least his manners are colder, more honest, almost predatory, now. "We have some nice valley ale for you, if you wish." - he points a flagon upon the table, recommending a light, sweetened drink, during the discussion. "And later on we should talk about the news the merchants bring from your homeland..." - he almost doesn't show, but he senses the strong smell of the dwarf even from across the table. Probably that's one of the reasons he knows where Morgrym comes from. Pelts over the shoulder, unwashed since gods know when. Pelts taken from mountain herds, no doubt.MARIUS"As for you" - he continues - "Ironsight bargained well, didn't he? No coincidences here. He called you, I bet. Your Temple, as he surely knew, as a deep link with the Tideruler." - he sits, pouring wine into a goblet. He then offers it to the monk. "Say, did your brothers ever mention the Tideruler? Or the blade, perchance? No, I would bet they didn't." - he transitions, as if he began to talk to himself. Every observation seems to place a theory he wants to confirm or disproof. "Probably your ancestors forgot all about it, or your founder himself might have set it aside on purpose. I believe he did." - he awaits for Marius' confirmation.SHAYURI"As for you..." - he studies Shayuri carefully for a second. "I didn't think Grontar Ironsight would be so lucky to have found the right bloodline himself. But he might have made the bet, anyway. How did he come to hire you, anyway?" - he glances at her, distrustful of his own words. "Either way, I'm honored to meet you. I'm sure we'll have plenty to discuss, and perhaps you might yet shed some light into matters that have eluded me so far... Matters involving your... noble ancestry." - he motions towards her face, even though her apron hides her distinctive traces quite well. He's certainly using some device to read them, she knows for sure, now.EVERYONE"Well, I believe Grontar directed you towards me, so I could help you find the Tideruler. This, he believes, would free the coastal areas from the blockade and give maranans the upper hand against the Old Crown." - he smiles as he pours wine for himself, mixing it with an equal amount of water. "Well, we have plenty to discuss.""First, for my help I'd only require a brief inspection of the blade, as well as a single use of it. Nothing more. After that, I'd be glad if you took it from here. Preferably, to be destroyed. I would gladly help, by the way. I'd hate to die only to be dragged throughout eternity by it." - he seems to talk more to himself, but the companions' keen senses allow them to notice he's still studying their reactions."I know, people say there's no known way to destroy it. But I might have found a solution for that." - he scans the table, observing evereyone's faces. "That solution will be yours as well, if you allow me access to the blade."Aside from that, I'll be glad to help find the Tideruler. But there are things you should know before setting out to find it." - he toys with the wine, drinking it slowly. He considers his next few words, and finally allows them to reach the conversation, without rush or concern."There are a few groups chasing the Tideruler. One of them is the Braves. You should know about them already. Grontar Ironsight is one of their leaders, after all. They want the Tideruler to defend Maran, or at least that's what they say. Truth might be a bit more complicated, though.""Before I made my pact with them, I uncovered a second group, also interested in the artifact. They're called the Herald of Exile. I came into contact with them in Taraz, but I have reason to believe they're centered around Ashir. They tried to bribe me and, when that failed, they decided to threaten me. I... managed to survive. But during this brief contact, I received some interesting background on the Tideruler." - he pauses for a moment and wets his lips on the wine, as if to quench some thirst. He seems more talkative as he describes his theories and discoveries, perhaps even more impassionate."The Braves seem to believe that the Tideruler is a means to control the vast seas around Gaelia. But the Heralds... They spoke of a royal legacy of great power, one that would, in fact, grant power over Gaelia and, eventually, the known world. I decided to seek out more about the Tideruler and, to my surprise, I found nearly nothing. Only the Living Tides hypothesis remained. Other theories seemed to vanish, almost as if someone deliberately destroyed them.""Something's... amiss. And I fear the worse got hidden, or lost, to the tides of time. But I would hear your opinions on the matter at hand..." [MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION] [MENTION=6801311]KahlessNestor[/MENTION] [MENTION=87106]MetaVoid[/MENTION]</blockquote>

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